India’s top order endured a very poor start in the second T20I against Australia, as early wickets left them reeling within the powerplay. After being put in to bat, Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma walked out to open the innings, with Josh Hazlewood taking the new ball. Hazlewood’s first over immediately fired warning shots to the visitors and set the tone for the innings. On the very first delivery, Gill was adjudged LBW to a nip-backer. India reviewed the decision, and the replay showed the ball bouncing over the stumps. The relief was short-lived, though. The next two balls from Hazlewood beat the bat, one of them bouncing sharply off the deck and hitting Gill on the helmet.Upon impact, the Australian pacer immediately walked up to check on the opener. The physio rushed out for a quick concussion test, and Gill, after a few minutes, signaled he was fine to continue. However, the respite didn’t last long. Gill, visibly unsettled after that blow, was soon dismissed for just five runs as India’s top order began to crumble. Sanju Samson, captain Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma followed in quick succession, leaving India in deep trouble early in the innings. By the third delivery of the seventh over, half the side was back in the pavilion, with Abhishek Sharma being the lone batter showing some resistance at the other end.
Poll
Is it time to change the top order strategy for India in T20Is?
Hazlewood’s opening spell caused visible discomfort for the Indian batters, his steep bounce and movement forcing errors under pressure. The Australian fielders backed him up well, maintaining intensity as wickets fell like a pack of cards at the MCG.After 13 overs, the visitors were reduced to 92/5, with Hazlewood claiming three and Nathan Ellis with the other. Axar Patel was run out in a moment of utter confusion while trying to take a third run.
